Industry
QA Testing for Government & Public Sector
Public sector digital services carry legal accessibility obligations and serve citizens who depend on them. We provide rigorous QA, WCAG compliance audits, and GDS-aware testing that meets the standards your service needs.
What we test for public sector organisations
- WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 AA compliance audits and remediation
- GOV.UK Design System component testing
- Form flows, multi-step transactions and validation
- Authentication: GOV.UK One Login, Verify integrations
- Document generation and download flows (PDF, CSV)
- Cross-device and assistive technology compatibility
- Accessibility statements: gap analysis and documentation
- Functional regression before major releases
- API testing for integrated government back-office systems
- Performance under citizen peak demand
Why public sector teams choose RedQA
Legal compliance expertise
We understand the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations, PSBAR 2018, and GDS Service Standard requirements, and help services meet them with evidence.
GDS-aware testing approach
Teams building on the GOV.UK Design System benefit from testers who know the components, patterns, and what assessors expect to see.
Assistive technology testing
We test with NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, and TalkBack across real devices, not just automated scanners that miss 40% of accessibility issues.
Secure, compliant working practices
We use synthetic test data, sign DPAs as standard, and can work within your managed environment for sensitive systems.
Accessibility statement support
We help you produce accurate, defensible accessibility statements that reflect the true state of your service, not boilerplate.
What a public sector engagement includes
WCAG 2.1 / 2.2 Audit
Full manual accessibility audit by certified testers using assistive technologies, with a prioritised remediation report.
Accessibility Statement Review
We assess your existing statement, identify gaps, and help you produce one that accurately reflects your service's conformance.
GDS Service Assessment Support
Preparation support for alpha, beta, and live assessments, including evidence of testing activities and accessibility compliance.
Functional QA
End-to-end testing of citizen journeys: applications, referrals, transactions, and back-office case management integrations.
Assistive Technology Testing
Testing with NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and ZoomText on real devices.
Performance Testing
Load testing to handle citizen demand peaks, such as deadline-driven spikes for tax, benefit, or grant applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Yes. Under the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (in the UK), all public sector websites and mobile apps must meet WCAG 2.1 AA as a legal minimum. The GDS Service Standard also requires compliance as part of service assessments. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action by the Cabinet Office or legal challenge. We help organisations meet these obligations and document their conformance.
- Yes. We understand the GDS Service Standard and the accessibility and testing expectations it places on digital services. We can help you prepare for alpha, beta, and live assessments, provide evidence of testing activities, and address any accessibility or quality gaps identified by assessors.
- We operate with strict data handling protocols. We work with anonymised or synthetic test data wherever possible, sign NDAs and data processing agreements as standard, and can operate within your managed environment rather than external tools if your security requirements demand it. We are happy to discuss your specific governance requirements.
- Yes. We are familiar with the GOV.UK Design System, GOV.UK Frontend, and common patterns used in UK government services. We test these components for accessibility, functionality, and responsive behaviour, and know what assessors look for.
Is WCAG compliance mandatory for government websites?
Can you help us pass a GDS service assessment?
How do you handle data security when testing government systems?
Can you test services built on GOV.UK design system components?
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